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 A Video8 videocassette | |
| Media type | Magnetic cassette tape |
|---|---|
| Encoding | NTSC, PAL, SECAM |
| Capacity | Video8/Hi8: 120 minutes (PAL-SP) 240 minutes (PAL-LP) 150 minutes (NTSC-SP) 300 minutes (NTSC-LP) Digital8: 60 minutes (NTSC-SP) 90 minutes (PAL-SP) [1] |
| Read mechanism | Helical scan |
| Write mechanism | Helical scan |
| Standard | 525 lines, 625 lines |
| Developed by | Sony and Kodak |
| Dimensions | 9.5 × 6.2 × 1.5 cm (311⁄16 × 23⁄8 × 19⁄32 inch) |
| Usage | Home movies |
| Extended to | Hi8 Digital8 Data8 |
| Released | 1984 |
The 8mm video format refers informally to three related videocassette formats. These are the original Video8 (analog recording) format and its improved successor Hi8 (analog video and analog audio but with provision for digital audio), as well as a more recent digital recording format known as Digital8. Their user base consisted mainly of amateur camcorder users, although they also saw important use in the professional television production field.
In 1982, five companies – Sony, Matsushita (now Panasonic), JVC, Hitachi, and Philips – created a preliminary draft of the unified format and invited members of the Electronic Industries Association of Japan, the Magnetic Tape Industry Association, the Japan Camera Industry Association and other related associations to participate. As a result, a consortium of 127 companies endorsed 8-mm video format in April 1984.[2][3]
In January 1984, Eastman Kodak announced the new technology in the U.S.[4][5] In 1985, Sony of Japan introduced the Handycam, one of the first Video8 cameras with commercial success. Much smaller than the competition's VHS and Betamax video cameras, Video8 became very popular in the consumer camcorder market.
- ^ "Amazon.com: Sony 150-MIN 8MM RECORDABLE Tape (P6150MPL//A) : Electronics". Amazon.com.
- ^ Lardner, James (1987). Fast forward: Hollywood, the Japanese, and the onslaught of the VCR. Norton. p. 308. ISBN 9780393023893.
- ^ Takemura, Yasuo (2013). "Video camera technologies systematization" (PDF). p. 49.
- ^ Nmungwun, Aaron Foisi (2012-11-12). Video Recording Technology: Its Impact on Media and Home Entertainment. Routledge. ISBN 9781136466045. Archived from the original on 2018-05-15.
- ^ Schrage, Michael; Schrage, Michael (1984-01-05). "Kodak Unveils 8mm Video 'Camcorder'". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2017-06-07.